Just got back from a 600km ride to Windsor and back...

Noticing that there is a new oscillating hum that seems to come from the rear of the car...

I have read most of the threads in here on wheel bearings... the only way the noise changes is speed.

It gets louder around 60-65kms/hr and then seems to do the same thing again around 100kms/hr...

At the 60km/hr range you can definetly hear the sound oscillate.

There doesnt seem to be any vibration from the sound.

Tires are pretty fresh unless there is a defect with one.

The noise seemed to come quite sudden - just after/during that longer drive yesterday.

I am leaning towards wheel bearing based on lots of other threads...

Anyone with comments?

1998 2.8 Quattro

Chad

 

I agree. It sounds like wheel bearings. How many km's are on your car?

 

299,000 kms - No idea when they were done last.

Chad

 

I'd get them checked. Where in Ontario are you? Are you in the GTA?

 

Nope - Brantford - Southwestern

Why?

How can you check them? Jack it up and look for wheel play?

Chad

 

I was going to recommend a few good mechanics I know, but they're all in the Toronto area.

As far as jacking it up and looking for wheel play, sounds like a good idea, but I'm not 100% sure about how to diagnose a wheel bearing problem.

 

wheel bearing 100%. I've replaced two before, same symptoms.

 

Well the growl is consistent now and I have a new problem that popped up on the weekend.

The ABS and flashing brake light have been on since I got the car...
On the way out on Saturday the check engine light came on and the flashing brake light stayed solid... I was going to check it later, but there was no point...

Once I parked the car and came back out again I had no brakes... I mean very limited brakes.
All the fluid was gone from the resivoir...
I managed to see a bit of fluid on my rear tire on the same side as the noise...

Anyone think that could be related?

Chad

 

It could be related to the sound only. Worn or failed bearing would have no impact on loss of fluid. The loss of fluid sounds like your flex lines which is somewhat common on all vehicles at some point in their life. Flex lines are around $20 each and can be a DIY job. Then fill the oil up and bleed the brakes. Bearings are around $500 and this should be done by a shop. I don't remember if your bearings need to be pressed in or not.

All in all not big issues just more of a nuisance and age thing.

Good luck and let us know how you make out.

 

Well the caliper is toast on the same side as the bearing...
Thats the start - not the lines as you mentioned.

got a broken coil spring on the other side, the muffler mount that attaches near the rear diff is broken off, and the front flex lines are cracked - I knew the last one already.

Chad